The Ministry of Health, on December 22, 2015 released the Note 47415, addressed to the health departments of the Autonomous Regions and Provinces, listing a number of clarifications in relation to the production, naming and labeling of so-called “black bread,” which is a bread made with the addition of vegetable charcoal/activated charcoal, marketed under the indication “vegetable charcoal bread, focaccia or pizza.”
Vegetable/active charcoal is a multipurpose substance that can be used in food products as a coloring agent (E153) and/or as a substance with a specific claim on beneficial effects on consumer health, among other things.
Ministry of Health
General Directorate for Food Hygiene and Safety and Nutrition –
Uff. II ex DGSAN Viale Giorgio Ribotta, 5 – 00144 Roma
SUBJECT: Bakery products with charcoal added.
With reference to the question referred to in the subject, taking into account the numerous requests for clarification, received from the various trade associations, about the increasing spread on the market of bakery products connoted by the presence of charcoal (so-called “black bread”), accompanied by different ways of presentation of the product, for part of competence the following is represented. In light of the current regulatory provisions on the subject, it is considered that: 1. it is permissible to produce a “fine bakery product” named as such, which adds to the basic ingredients (water, yeast and flour), among others, charcoal as a coloring additive and in the quantities permitted by the relevant European regulations (EC Reg. 1333/08 All. II Part E); 2. it is not permissible to name the product referred to in point 1 as “bread,” nor to refer to “bread” in the labeling, presentation and advertising of the same, both in the case of pre-packaged products and in the case of bulk products (Article 18, Law 580/67); 3. it is not permissible to add in the labeling, presentation or advertising of the product referred to in point 1 any information referring to the beneficial effects of charcoal for the human body, given the clear use of the same exclusively as a coloring additive. We remain available for any clarification on this matter and await your kind reply.
THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE
II Dr. Joseph Plutino
